My Forum

I am a 38 year old former rugby prop who first started running in 2000. I got a place in the 2000 London Marathon to raise money following the loss of my baby daughter. I trained hard to get to 4hr pace. Unfortunately I had a cold in the week before the race, but with substantial sponsorship I started the race anyway. I have no memory following being helped up at the 16 mile point and was finally put into an ambulance at mile 18!! I eventually came round in Newham General. Never run a marathon with a cold!

I have been a casual runner ever since, but never managed to get a place back in the London Marathon. I have done the Great North Run twice, including this year, but I am desperate to put the bad memories of 2000 to rest.

My problem is that I am constantly struggling with my weight, currently about 17st, despite training for the Great North Run, and the chance to benefit from such brilliant coaches is so exciting. I would truly love this opportunity and would give my all to train to achieve a 4 hr 30 time. I recently completed the GNR in a very steady 2hrs 20, which I know I could better with a some structure to my training. I regularly run 10k races locally, usually around 55 mins.

I am desperate to be able to tell a happier London Marathon story in years to come!